AS Lewis Hamilton bows out of the McLaren team bound for Mercedes, it is clear that team-mate Jenson Button’s profile is set to soar, as NICK STAMFORD reports

Lewis Hamilton was predicted to blow Button away when he was joined at McLaren in 2010 []

Lewis Hamilton was supposed to make a fool out of Jenson Button but their partnership will end with him looking the twit!

The 2008 world champion was predicted to blow Button away when he was joined at McLaren in 2010, by the man who inherited his drivers’ crown.

But as their three years as team-mates draw to a close, the duo will part with Hamilton’s performances on the track having been matched virtually result by result by Button. And while Hamilton leaves with his relationship with McLaren soured by some off-track indiscretions, Button will go into the new campaign knowing the team and mechanics see him as No 1.

Hamilton’s spell with the team that fostered his talent for 14 years was already showing signs of strain before two postings on Twitter left him apologising and raised questions about his mind-management.

The Mercedes-bound driver’s first Twitter gaffe came at the Belgium Grand Prix last month when he posted a picture of the telemetry from his and Button’s qualifying laps.

I couldn’t believe what Lewis did in Belgium. It was a very child-like and immature thing to do

Former McLaren driver John Watson

Hamilton was told to delete the offending tweet by furious team chiefs, but the damage had been done with rival teams given an incredible insight into crucial information.

Then after a disappointing race in Japan two weeks ago, Hamilton accused Button of ‘disrespect’ for not following him on Twitter before being forced to apologise.

Former McLaren driver John Watson said: “I couldn’t believe what Lewis did in Belgium. It was a very child-like and immature thing to do. It was stupid really.

“He was very lucky he did not incur a punishment from McLaren, but I guess he was three-quarters of his way out of the team anyway.

“He has been looked after by the team since he was 13 and then he has not had to worry about anything really. But he was not allowed to grow up like other drivers.” Hamilton’s move to Mercedes could be the challenge his career needs but it leaves Button as McLaren’s lead driver, with his reputation bolstered.

With just four races left, the statistics could not be closer between them. Hamilton just edges it on wins, nine to seven, but Button has finished runner-up 10 times and come home third on seven occasions. Hamilton has finished second eight times and third on four occasions.

On points, Hamilton is on 620, five ahead of Button who last year became the first team-mate to finish ahead of the Hamilton in his F1 career.

Button’s ex-BAR team-mate Anthony Davidson is not surprised the duo can barely be separated. Now one of Sky’s top F1 pundits, Davidson said: “I was not one of those who felt Jenson would be blown away by Lewis.

“After Jenson won the title in 2009 with Brawn some people said it was down to the car so he wanted to go up against Lewis.

“As Lewis leaves, Jenson is a solid equal not just in terms of results and reputation but also the way he has blended with the team.

“You cannot underestimate how hard it is to join someone else’s team and establish yourself. But Jenson has done that.

“Jenson has proved himself to be one of the best drivers in the world, because he has gone up against one of the best and more than held his own.”

MAIN QUOTE: ‘Button has gone up against a top driver and proved himself one of the best in the world’ ANTHONY DAVIDSON

TWO-LINE WOB QUOTE: ‘Jenson blended into McLaren so well’

CAPTION: TEAM-MATES AND RIVALS: Jenson Button has proved more than a match for Lewis Hamilton